The year 2012 has been a busy one for foreign policy: from escalating disputes in the South China Sea to alternate financial instruments from the emerging world. India’s foreign policy too has its shown strengths and weaknesses. We present our top foreign policy Hotspots, Sweet spots and Blind spots for 2012.

Although there has been a steady growth of the India-Japan bilateral relationship, the full potential of this association remains untapped. Why is it increasingly imperative for New Delhi and Tokyo to enhance their bilateral relations for mutual benefit? Sanjeev Sinha blogs

In the past few years, the political map of Antarctica, a region rich in mineral-fuel resources, has changed immensely. How can the ongoing geopolitical polarization in this region have unfavourable global effects in the long run?

Growth at any cost is the dominant political theme across emerging markets, and Narendra Modi's victory in Gujarat proves that yet again. But is that policy good enough to make him prime minister of India one day? Gateway House's Sambuddha Mitra Mustafi blogs.

Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat, returned to office for an unprecedented fourth term. With this victory, the fate of India’s two national political parties has changed, and the battles within and without will play out over next few months leading up to the national elections in 2014.

At present, the ASEAN is at a critical phase in its dealings with China – the regional hegemon with growing heft. Why do ASEAN nations need to collaborate and find innovative ways to deal with its giant neighbour.

New Delhi has actively worked with Beijing to address its massive bilateral trade deficit. However, it has another option. India can seek greater economic integration with ASEAN and substitute its imports from China with that of ASEAN. The India-ASEAN Summit on December 20 would be a good place to start.

In spite of the measures adopted by Israel during the UN bid to grant Palestine 'non member observer state' status, Palestine won the bid with overwhelming support from the international community. However, a peaceful solution to the two-state solution still remains distant.